Apple Creator Studio

What makes anyone think they've actually ever seen all of Motion's full current potential? I've never seen any of the Motion video influencers pushing the maximum potential of Motion... just mostly easy stuff they can get anyone to do. Not even Simon Ubsdell, who's work I actually respect! I recommend *every* Motion user watch this video by Ubsdell: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SeTheytQQoo. However, at the end he makes the comment that he doesn't know why Apple doesn't simply allow use to type in the expression... (the answer is basically that it's not necessary — the "feature" is built in and Simon missed it! Most do.)

I know there are also many things you have to be able to visualize or work with and back and forth within Final Cut in order to develop some things... like:

(this was made with Motion 5.4.7 as an Effect *for* Final Cut Pro... that's at least, what? Seven versions ago? It's only being applied to a Basic Title here, but it is designed for keyed/masked objects.)

I would be a lot more forthcoming with what I have learned except for one reason: I get ripped off… a lot! Even today I see someone at FxFactory released a product that has basically ripped off yet another template that I've had available for years. My sales keep falling off (a little over 30% overall). (It's not likely I'll even publish the fire effect among about a dozen or so others I've developed in the last year.) Just know that there is quite a lot of untapped power in Motion... you just have to know how to find it and exploit it (I'm not even sure Apple developers know the extent of what they've built.)

Would it surprise anyone to know that the **absolutely** simplest Effect that can be built in Motion for Final Cut is a Keyer? Can you figure that one out? (Apple developers couldn't!) [By the way, it's not the version I have available for free... it's a rather newly discovered method that absolutely **floored** me.]

Would it surprise anyone to know that *every possible* Sine and Cosine value (with 15 decimal place accuracy) are easily available?

(circle "plotted" with posX = r*cosØ, posY = r*sinØ [aspect correction for 16:9 canvas required but easily accomplished])

It seems to me that all anyone wants to be able to do is ask AI to make something for them... but not have to do any of the actual work to fulfill their own potentials as creators. [The things I've known how to ask (google) AI how to do in Motion — it usually gets wrong... just so you know.]

It is my sincere hope that Final Cut continues to work with Motion Templates built all the way back to version 5.0. The integration of the two applications has been one of the most brilliant things Apple has ever put together (I just wish they had "fleshed out" 3D Text just a little bit more with "revolve" and custom texture mapping rather than add usdz 3D models with a side dependence on reality converter... but none of that matters anymore... I won't be upgrading anything any time soon.) I don't mind "additions", and aside from occasional bugs that might need to be fixed, it's core is **rock solid** and shouldn't be changed.

If I seem a little antagonistic in my participation on this thread, I heartily apologize! I tend to get a little frustrated hearing people can't do this or that in Motion and how Apple doesn't do much with its development. It has phenomenal power and after 18 years of working with it, I seem to still be surprised with what it is actually capable of. <grammatical error intentional, amidst ongoing discoveries>

PS - I've just read an article about how the prices for RAM are going up due to AI demands... worth it? I don't think so.

Ian, if Apple in the future forced the FCP/Creator Studio subscription on me I would switch to a Linux PC instantly because the hardware is MUCH cheaper (maybe not in 2026 specifically due to the RAM crisis, but typically a machine with the same performance is about half the price), and I don’t use iMessage/FaceTime on my Mac, and all the iCloud stuff I need from my iPhone is easily accessible through the iCloud website - so my main reason for using a Mac is because of the comfort of owning (not renting) FCP & Logic Pro, which I do prefer the easy of use of over DR (also I’m much quicker in FCP due to my 10+ years of experience in it).

As I read about the studio. It is not that big of a deal, and I am not worried about it. I am still going to use FCP and do not need the subscription. It will not affect me or my work. I hope the FCP users don't get all bent out of shape over these new subscriptions. It is there only if you want it.

OK, so here's clarification:

You can go subscription OR stand-alone, you have a CHOICE.

Subscription gets you all the apps, PLUSE "premium content".

Without subscription, you have limited access to "premium content" but have access to all "functions/features".

Curious that the Photos app wasn't included.

And based on the history of other "subscription" apps, the subscription model doesn't ensure any change in quantity or quality of future updates.

I'm surprised Apple still charges for its software as the revenue it generates must be infinitesimal in light of its overall profits.

If it provided free software like Black Magic it would probably increase the sales of Macs etc. even more.

Basically use free software to increase sales of hardware.

I can Imagine new Content — based upon ai. Some presets in Motion Look Like 1999. needs urgenly revamp of content.

or, Imagine Circle—and—select in an videoEditor.

or set—exrensions just by stretching the Frame

BenB wrote:

Yeah, I don't see Motion fulfilling its full potential, ever. It is what Apple wants it to be, a titles generator for FCP, period.

Maybe for you, but I use it to create custom transitions for my own FCP projects A LOT. However I agree that Motion needs more attention and that Apple seems to undervalue it. It's really unfortunate. Sometimes I get the feeling they don't wanna do software any more, outside of the OS and it's included thingies.

Software doesn't bring in the large profits like £400 for an extra 750GB of storage or £200 for an additional 8GB RAM that many people pay in the vague/vain hope that it will "future-proof" their Mac or maybe make their apps work better.

Incidentally, whilst checking the above quoted RAM prices of the M4 mini I noticed that Apple is now selling the basic M4 for £499 !

That's £100 cheaper than its opening price last year. What's going on?

Bear in mind Apple's apps are already drastically cheaper than anything else on the market (aside from Resolve free version), but you also don't get many tools and features that other apps have. Apple pro app development has somewhat stagnated over the past couple of years.

Yes, ACS is confusing in the App Store. Yes, there are two versions of each app, the stand-alone, and the Creator Studio version. And no easy way to tell them apart. Horrible launch IMHO. Way too confusing.

Hey, something everyone is glossing over, is the new "help" stuff in the GUI. All sorts of stuff is labeled for new users. But is there a way to turn all that garbage off? SO do not need it, and it's just visually annoying as **** to me.

Why is this Apple Creator Studio required to be subscribed to? I’ve always disliked subscription-based models for any apps, services, and products and I prefer to pay a one-time fee.

Yeah, I don't see Motion fulfilling its full potential, ever. It is what Apple wants it to be, a titles generator for FCP, period.

Good news: I won't switch to PC and DaVinci Resolve anytime soon . . .

I'm slightly puzzled.

Why would you need to switch to PC if you went over to DVR as it works on Macs?

Then switch, wish you all the best. No sure why you're not on Linux already. But all the best to you, my friend. As long as you're happy and prosperous.